IND vs ENG: Why is it called the Anthony de Mello Trophy?

There’s a reason why Test cricket is still called the quintessential form of cricket. And there’s a reason why some cricketers are termed as the utter legends of this format. Many legends of the game have seamlessly changed the face of this format through their vigorous and impregnable gameplay. Hence in order to prevail their legacy, some of the most iconic and historic rivalries of the game have now been entitled after them.

Now regardless of ‘The Ashes’ being the pinnacle series in the list of all the perpetual trophies, there’s another iconic trophy which involves the inventors (England) against its sturdy former colony (India). So when we do see the two ancient rivals locking horns while playing Test cricket in India, the series is termed as ‘Anthony de Mello Trophy’.

Being awarded to the winner of the England-India Test series held in India, the trophy was instituted in 1951, when England had toured India for a five-Test match series. The glory is named after Anthony de Mello, who was not only an Indian cricket administrator but also one of the founding members of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).

Reasons for naming the trophy

Now regardless of never representing India as a player, it was Anthony de Mello’s sheer administration acumen which placed India onto the cricket map of the world in the early part of the last century.

Whether it was about founding the BCCI or being its first honorary secretary or about embellishing the role of the presidency. It was under his strenuous efforts where India’s cricketing relations were built especially with England and Australia.

While being influential in the formation of the BCCI in 1928, it was his earnest endeavours which involved some lucid presentation alongside some influential contacts abroad and his application on behalf of Indian cricket which propelled the Imperial Cricket Conference to accept India as a member in 1929.

By serving as the secretary from 1928-29 to 1937-38, not only he played an instrumental role in founding the Cricket Club of India (CCI) but also a prominent role in establishing and sketching India’s legendary domestic competition now known as the ‘Ranji Trophy’.

Call it his pure determination or his innate enthusiasm for the game, all in all, Anthony De Mello is the man who steered the destiny of Indian Cricket then.

Winning Record

So out of all the thirteen series being played in India at present since 1951, the visitors (England) have only won thrice (1976-77, 1984-85, 2012-13). On the flip side, the Indians, by winning their first Test victory in the series of 1951-52, so far have been able to fetch seven Test series wins. In addition to this, the tours of 1951-52, 1963-64 and 2005-06 yielded a draw result.

With yet another series beginning from February 5th, it will be interesting to see which team now triumphs ahead in terms of their win tally in this rich cricketing folklore.

Note:  While the Test series which is held in India is called the ‘Anthony De Mello Trophy’, the series which is played in England is called the ‘Pataudi Trophy’. The trophy was instituted in 2007 by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2007 to mark the 75th anniversary of the first England-India Test series held in England in 1932.